This program assists students who wish to to further their engineering education and acquire the knowledge and skills to tackle important engineering tracks of our time: sustainability and innovation. The plan of study features real-world relevancy and considers how sustainable systems impact economics, design, and usability.

Careers

What Can I Do with a Master of Science in Engineering?

The knowledge gained during this program, in the emphasis area of choice, will prepare you for tackling real world engineering challenges, providing solutions to complex engineering problems, and creating products that will benefit the society. The Master of Science in Engineering will help you enter a satisfying, productive and exciting profession, or continue on to a doctoral degree.

The program will help you understand the application of your profession to sustainability and/or advanced engineering design. Faculty are engaged in research and its creative application to relevant problems, and you will have the opportunity to join them. The methods of design and innovation are necessary to the successful development of sustainable systems. Likewise, the principles of sustainability can foster innovation and economic development. By combining both themes, you will have the opportunity to engineer a brighter future for yourself and for the world.

Students wanting to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously may qualify for our Accelerated Program which allows students to count six units toward both degrees, shortening the time to graduation.

With further education, one of these paths is possible:

Sustainability or Design Engineer

Engineering Consultant or Entrepreneur

Teaching and Research Faculty

Research and Development Engineer

University Requirements

To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. (Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.)

You must additionally complete:

All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.

All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

All work toward the master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Engineering M.S. with an Emphasis in Civil and Environmental, Computer Science, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering

The Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) is a thesis-based/research focused graduate degree program. Students work closely with a faculty advisor to develop a personal research plan within their emphasis area (Civil and Environmental, Computer Science, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering), which allows the student to design and complete an original research study in their area of specialty. This degree program is valuable to engineers interested in pursuing doctoral studies, academic careers, or professional careers in research or product innovation.

Demonstrate the ability to apply graduate level critical thinking skills to formulate and solve advanced engineering problems in the emphasis area (Civil and Environmental, Computer Science, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering):

Nine of the 15 units of electives must be in your chosen emphasis area, which may include up to 3 units of 698.*

A maximum of two courses, up to 8 units, may be at the 400-level.**

You must complete at least 24 hours of formal coursework, other than such individualized studies as independent study, directed readings, thesis and research.***

*Electrical Engineering emphasis no longer offers EE 698.**Electrical Engineering emphasis allows a maximum of two courses, up to 6 letter-graded units, in any combination of 400-level courses, EE 685, and EE 697.***In Electrical Engineering emphasis, you must complete at least 18 units of formal coursework, other than 400-level units and such individualized studies as independent study, directed readings, and research.

Primary Emphasis Requirements (Select One):

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Computer Science Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Since the M.S. program emphasizes interdisciplinary topics, students may wish to take courses outside of their primary emphasis area. Some courses may require prior completion of prerequisite courses. Other requirements for Master of Science in Engineering students include the following:

You are responsible for choosing the chair and members of your advisory committee before completing 9 units of coursework.

You must submit a plan of study that lists all coursework intended to satisfy the M.S. degree requirements by the first month of the semester in which you take your 10th credit. The elective and math/statistics courses are selected in consultation with and acceptable to the student's graduate committee and its chair.

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan. Accelerated Programs provide the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates working on their bachelor’s degree to simultaneously begin work on a master’s degree, which may allow them to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by applying 6 units toward both degrees. Students must apply to the accelerated program and the master’s program by the application deadline, and meet all requirements as listed on the Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Programs to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year. Be sure to speak with your advisor regarding your interest in Accelerated Programs.

Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.